Women's Soccer

Blue Devils Picked Fifth in NEC Coaches Poll

The Northeast Conference released the 2012 women's soccer preseason coaches poll on Monday. Central Connecticut was picked to finish fifth in the conference this upcoming season.

The Blue Devils ended the 2011 season tied for ninth in the NEC with a record of 5-7-5 (2-5-3 NEC).

Historically Central Connecticut has produced one of the most successful teams in the NEC. Last season's finish marked the first time the Blue Devils have been out of the regular season top-four since the 2001 season. That year they finished fifth.

Head Coach Mick D'Arcy is entering his 13th season at the helm of the Blue Devils. He posts a record of 126-92-23 during his time in New Britain. His teams have qualified for the NEC Tournament in nine of the last 10 seasons.

Central has won seven NEC titles during its time in the league and open the season this Friday night at Boston University at 7 p.m.

Captains Jewel Robinson and Nikola Deiter will lead the Blue Devils. Robinson was a First Team All-Conference selection, and an All-New England selection, following the 2011 season. She was also a Second Team All-Conference pick as a freshman. In 2011 she helped the Blue Devil defense hold opponents to a 1.36 goals against average. She also contributed two goals over the course of the season.

Deiter has started all but two games in her first two seasons with the Blue Devils. This past year she posted a goals against average of 1.35 and a save percentage of .802. For her career she has recorded 11 wins, eight of them coming via the shutout.

St. Francis (PA) finished at the top off the poll receiving six first place votes followed by reigning NEC Champion LIU Brooklyn who received five first place votes. Monmouth and Sacred Heart were picked third and fourth respectively. Central was voted to finish fifth ahead of Quinnipiac, Bryant, and Robert Morris. Wagner, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Mount St. Mary's rounded out the poll.